Comments on: Economy driving: Hyundai i30

By: JOHAN

JOHAN — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 21:33:24 +0000

Diesel is cheaper in many countries, Captain Mainwaring,
check your facts, you’ve probably only been to NZ before mate!

By: Al Juraj

Al Juraj — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:35:56 +0000

I read somewhere that diesel is not ideal for driving very short distances. I think it has something to do with warming up the engine. A few years back diesel is generally harder to start and takes more time to get to its optimum operating temperature, but once there, you begin to appreciate it. Heaps of torque give you the luxury of starting in second gear (at least in manual form), and of course the added benefit of better economy no matter what.

Find a forum of the car you wish to buy and get some feedback from current owners.

By: Al Juraj

Al Juraj — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:25:10 +0000

It would be better to conduct a more comprehensive test on which one is really cheaper to run. Obviously, diesel will win in economy, but other than the purchase price, they cost more to maintain. We need to factor in the prices engine parts that need to be replaced regularly, and how frequently this needs to be done.

By: Al Juraj

Al Juraj — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:21:52 +0000

And running in neutral downhill is highly discouraged as it negates engine braking and could be a safety issue.

By: alan

alan — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:05:32 +0000

I boght a 2L SLX on petrol in november 2009 and already done the 15 000km service. i use this car everywhere in Adelaide South australia as a driving instructor.
This car is great from every point of view, BUT it has been designed for economy and not for performance.
I find way too often that inspite of the 105KW is gutless up the hills and especially at higher speeds. The diesel version is better for torque.
i’ll probably get a cold air intake for it and a completelly exhaust system, and see if it need any other mods.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 05:37:31 +0000

I had a LPG vehicle and let me tell you it was rather a mixed experience. My Mazda Bravo 2.7 lt used around 16 l (!!) of LPG per 100km. That was still $5-$6 per 100 km for prices than (30 c per liter). But…range was only about 460km, there are not a lot of places selling LPG in town let alone in the bush. After 150000km the car developed a problem with valves due to corrosive nature of LPG. I had to put a new engine head. Later car backfired few times resulting in me selling it with loss. Power on LPG was about 20% lower than on petrol yet consumption was higher as you cannot tune engine properly for two different fuel systems running at once. There is a lot of hidden costs related to running LPG behicle and people do not realize that. Conversion vehicles will in my opinion develop a lot of problems off-setting lower fuel costs and when buying factory LPG you pay premium.
I am quite happy with diesel. I get 1000km into tank, my car is very economical, reliable and fun to drive.

By: JollyRoger

JollyRoger — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:49:05 +0000

@GLEN^

:”My fuel consumption when I re-filled the tank was 6.4L/100km (44mpg) with the cruise-control set at 90kph. You can’t do that with a petrol engine”

Oh yes you can and for vastly less.

For 1 trying feeding it with LPG, V8 like torque and power, less fuel cost than a silly smelly overpriced DIEsel.

You keep forgeting that euro and japper ULP’s are ALREADY VERY frugal on fuel use, check out the new Suzuki Alto for one.

But the real crusher is the current trend of “downsizing” the new 4cyl. Falcon will BEAT your figure, and with ease, a current 4L/6 of Hwy cycle will do around 7L/100km if also driven @ 90kmh and not hard use of the loud pedal.

Wonder how low this new EcoBoost can go on fuel use?

Lets see you i30 tow 2500kg trailer as Falcodores can!

By: Zane

Zane — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:29:05 +0000

Something many people forget about when comparing Diesel engines vs petrol engines is the reduced amount of revs used and therefore wear n tear on the engine in the long run, which equates to more reliable longer term running (which would also wont increase the use of fuel used if the engine is not heavily worn).

Generally speakin diesels peak power ends at 4000 rpm, which is when most petrol engines just start getting peak power(torque first and often power later)
calculate the amount of revs per annum a diesel does to a standard petrol and it would be close to a third less.

Also Diesel in Australia is only expensive for thanks to our inconsiderate government. Diesel IS a cheaper fuel, the Tax however placed on diesel is alot higher. If ya dad has a farm, get his diesel card, and not even olive oil would come close to the cost of running the vehicle.

Diesel prices are still taxed heavily on the back of the dirtier diesel from the past to offset carbon pollution.

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:37:51 +0000

Can anyone tell me how the i30 1.6 CRDi goes with short running? Some of the turbo diesels don’t like only being run for a short time. Is it ok to run them for about 5km at a time, but also give them a good run once a week or so?

By: LuciferDarklordEsquire

LuciferDarklordEsquire — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:53:09 +0000

Genie, pumping losses are reduced by using EGR (Exhaust gas recirculation)